Target Disk Mode

The user has the option at boot time to put the computer into a mode of operation called Target Disk Mode (TDM). This mode is similar to SCSI Disk mode on a PowerBook computer equipped with a SCSI port, except it uses a FireWire connection instead of a special SCSI cable.

When the Power Mac G4 computer is in Target Disk Mode and connected to another Macintosh computer by a FireWire cable, the Power Mac G4 operates like a FireWire mass storage device with the SBP-2 (Serial Bus Protocol) standard. Target Disk Mode has two primary uses:

The Power Mac G4 can operate in Target Disk Mode as long as the other computer has a FireWire port and the FireWire 2.3 or newer driver.

IMPORTANT

For Target Disk Mode operation, only the Power Mac G4 and the host Macintosh computer can be connected to the FireWire bus. Any other FireWire devices must be disconnected.

To put the Power Mac G4 computer into Target Disk mode, you restart the computer and holds down the T key until the FireWire icon appears on the display. You then connect a FireWire cable from the Power Mac G4 computer to the other computer. When the other computer completes the FireWire connection, a TDM icon appears on its display.

If you disconnect the FireWire cable or turn off the Power Mac G4 computer while in Target Disk Mode, an alert appears on the other computer asking you to reconnect the TDM volume.

To take the Power Mac G4 computer out of Target Disk Mode, you drag the TDM icon on the other computer to the trash, then press the power button on the Power Mac G4.

For more information about Target Disk Mode, see the section "Target Mode" in Technote 1189, The Monster Disk Driver Technote .